Frank provides service that is 2nd to none. He started by providing me (I'm assuming every client) a video diagnosing the equipment; showing you everything prior to beginning work. There was no "hard selling" - only showing what needs to be fixed and some recommendations for what could improve/safeguard your equipment moving forward. There is zero pressure to make suggested improvements. The entire process could not be more transparent or easy. I recommend Frank to everyone. He is exceptional. read more

Don't bother doing anymore research. Just take your gear to Frank. It will be the smartest choice you make all year. I brought him some discontinued rare as hen's teeth boutique gear ( A Verellen Meatsmoke) and he brought it back to life without breaking a sweat - or the bank. No attitude, great comms, and just an all around pleasure to work with. Bring him your gear NOW! read more

Saw this business info on Yelp and decided to try them out to get my son's amp fixed. He was familiar with this and similar models, so i felt comfortable having Frank work on it. The communication was a tiny bit slow at first, but still totally workable. He worked on it almost right away and sent me videos of the progress. He was done in a few days and sent me a comprehensive video of before, during, and after. The amp once again sings like it should! His pricing seemed fair. He was quick and easy to work with. So while I dont want any of my son's equipment to fail, if it does, i may look him up again. Tell him Frankie said he rocks! May not get you a discount, but i certainly appreciate good and fair work by local business owners. Have Fun! read more

Forgotten Gear Restorations - Part of a video the tech created showing the inside of the amp before and after. - Musical Instrument Services Near Me

After a fair amount of searching, I decided to reach out to Frank to service my 64 Fender Bassman (was looking for someone trustworthy as this is my first and only tube amp.) We communicated via text and phone. He was familiar with this amp and appreciated my desire to maintain its originality while also offering reversible upgrades and provided a video and info about its condition, production codes on the components etc. Super nice guy, clearly enjoys what he does, excellent communication throughout the process and even indulged my many questions and was willing to work with my schedule for dropoff and pickup. The amp sounds great, Highly recommend! Thanks for all the help and info Frank! read more

My review is long overdue, but I couldn't let it go without saying--Frank truly makes dreams come true! After purchasing my dream amp, a Custom '64 Vibroverb, and having it shipped across the country, I was beyond excited to plug it in. Unfortunately, after just a few minutes of playing, the pilot light went out, and my heart sank. I called several local music shops, only to find that none of them worked on amps. Feeling pretty defeated, I turned to Yelp and found Forgotten Gear Restorations--and I'm so glad I did! I reached out to Frank, got an immediate response, and was able to drop off my amp the very next day. I was worried I had somehow ruined my dream amp after just a few minutes of use, but Frank quickly assessed the issue and reassured me he could fix it in no time. Over the next day or two, he kept me updated with progress and even sent videos (which you can find on his YouTube channel) showing what he was working on, which I found fascinating. Once the initial issue was resolved and the amp was running again, I mentioned I had noticed a lack of reverb. Frank immediately took a look, identified a broken lead in the reverb tank, and fixed that too! This was hands-down the best client experience I've ever had. Frank was extremely helpful, answered all my questions about proper amp care, and made the entire process stress-free. I now know exactly where to go for any future amp needs. Thank you, Frank, for saving my amp and going above and beyond! read more

Forgotten Gear Restorations - Musical Instrument Services Near Me

Frank does great work at a fair price. Highly recommend for amp service and repair. I have taken 2 amps to him so far and referred a couple of friends and we have all been very happy. I plan to bring some more amps his way. read more

I brought Frank a 1962 Vintage Fender Tremolux that hadn't been touched in over 20+years. Less than 2 weeks later and I got back the amp in better condition than I could've ever imagined! Frank went above and beyond to bring my amp back to tip top shape. He also makes fun, detailed videos of the process along the way which I really enjoyed and appreciated. You should definitely trust Forgotten Gear Restorations 100% with all your amplifiers needs! Glad to become a Loyal Customer going forward. Thanks Forgotten Gear Restorations! read more

Forgotten Gear Restorations - Musical Instrument Services Near Me

I rarely write reviews. But when I'm elated by superior service and results, it's worth the effort to take a moment and share my experience. Frank is a solid fellow. Courteous to a fault. A good listener. A great communicator. And filled with technical expertise borne from a lifetime as a player and aficionado of the innards of tube boxes. You will be kept in the loop about every aspect of your repair. Frank shows his work on YouTube as a tool, not only to show customers what's up, which is fantastically interesting, but also to educate and entertain amp gurus around the globe. And if Frank runs into a trouble maker, as he did with my amp, he is willing to spend hours chasing down every nasty electronic alleyway until he nabs the bugger. And yet ... he'll continue to honor his estimate. Maybe a little extra for unanticipated parts. Well worth every dime. Best of all, in my experience, Frank took in a gimpy amp and returned a rock star. Such is the result of a solid work ethic, a love of the sport, and a deep appreciation for what a guitarist wants to hear when he plucks a string. Or strums a few. By trade, I spent a lifetime as a camera technician. I know the game. And Frank is a player, literally and figuratively. You can trust Frank with your baby. read more

Frank is the man! Please look no further if you have gear that needs some TLC. I have a PRS MT 15 head that was having issues with the volume. I reached out to Frank and he reassured me he would help me with the issue. What at first we thought was the tubes for the head he diagnosed the head and turns out it was actually the output transformer. Frank went the extra mile and reached out to PRS for me to tell them my issue and get them to accept my amp for further repairs (when he did not even have to!) Without Frank and his knowledge, compassion, and thoughtfulness towards his customers, I most likely would've spent triple the amount with some other big name companies. I am truly appreciative of Frank and will forever go to him for any questions or repairs. read more

FGR is a dream come true. Frank is an outstanding gentleman. His work is second to none! Huge Marshall fan. Own about 15. I used to go to Ryan at OC amp repair. However, the service, quality and overall experience went way down hill. If you need a tube amp repair? I highly recommend Frank at FGR! read more

I have an old tube amp that was having some noise and reliability issues, and Frank's service gave it new life! He was super knowledgeable and patiently explained everything. He recorded videos of the problems and the process for fixing them. Super friendly and easy to work with. read more

Frank went above and beyond with repairing my amp! Not only did he explain the state of my Fender Twin Reverb in great detail, but sent me videos documenting his process of troubleshooting/repairing it back to good health. I thought that was extremely professional and appreciated him being so thorough. Frank was reasonable with his rate and his turnaround time was top notch! Amp sounds amazing! read more

Frank did a fantastic job fixing my 1972 Fender Twin Reverb! Besides being a great guy overall, he is very knowledgeable about amps and thorough when working on them. I received frequent updates about my amp and got a very detailed report (text, pictures, and videos) saying what the amp needed, recommended repairs, and repairs made. Now my amp sounds better than ever! Frank is my new go to amp guy for sure. read more

Forgotten Gear Restorations - 1972 Fender Twin Reverb - Musical Instrument Services Near Me

Can't say enough good things about connecting with Frank for a deep refurb of my old Vox amp. His approach is super personal and he has a great system for staying in touch along the way so that you end up with exactly what you are after. It's more like hanging out with friends than dropping your gear at a conventional shop. Let's do it again sometime! read more

You probably already read all the great reviews of Frank and I'm one of the many people who will say if you're in need of an amp repair, Frank is your guy. He already maintenance and repaired two of my amps (Vox UK ac30tb & ac15) and currently getting my 57 twin tweed reissued tuned up as we speak. I will eventually send over my fender prosonic and 59 bassman reissued his way in the near future (a heads up to you, Frank)! Aside from the great service, one of the things I really respect and appreciate about Frank is his passion for his craft. He has a huge respect for the new, the old, hardwired, PCB, you name it. It doesn't matter, he'll take care of it as if it's his own. Some things that I will point out is that Frank works from his home and to ensure the safety of his family, don't be surprised if you guys meet up at a local gas station or store. It's perfectly normal and I think that's reasonable. this may or may not change in the future. Another thing I'd point out is due to the nature of amp repairs, it can be hard to get exact date on when he's finished. He repairs amps in order of when he receives them so once you drop off the amp, you probably won't hear from Frank until he starts working on your amp. This can take anywhere from a few days to a week, maybe more depending on his workload. The good news is once he starts, he will keep you posted and post updates as he's working on the amp. When he started on two of my amps, he was texting me almost daily for a couple days straight! That's some top notch service there! Thanks for all that you do, Frank! read more

Glad I found FGR, my new go to Amp Technician. Frank will go above and beyond to help you get your Amp restored / repaired. Absolute nice guy and very experience and knowledgeable. Have trust in Frank to get your amp going to its full potential and beyond. read more

Frank is one of the most honest, transparent, genuine, detail oriented professional techs I've had the pleasure of trusting my equipment with. Earlier this week, I reached out to Frank if he could repair a vox AC10 that took a dive on me, as well as servicing my main aguilar bass amp even tho he specializes in vintage tube amps. Immediately, with no hesitation, he offered to take a look at it and resolve an ongoing rattling inside the head. The same day, to my surprise, Frank had already diagnosed the issue with my Vox and had it running like new and informed me was on to the aguilar next. Throughout the day, he would update me with videos and pictures on the inside guts of the amps, pinpointing his assessment and diagnosis along with his approach on the repair. He's truly earned my business for life. Please don't hesitate to reach out to him, even if it's something you think is a crazy fix, I'm sure he's seen it all. read more

Forgotten Gear Restorations - Bass amp service and minor repair - Musical Instrument Services Near Me

I had Frank fix a feedbacking reverb channel on my Peavey Classic 50 and he did great! He was prompt in answering my initial request and was communicative in responding to questions and concerns. read more

Frank did a great job with my Pro Reverb and also provided the fastest service I've ever gotten from an amp tech. He kept me updated with photos and texts explaining any issues he found and his recommended repairs. He also performed a couple of upgrades to enhance the amp's longevity, and threw in a vintage-style speaker cable for free. Just over 24 hours after I dropped it off, I got a text that my amp was ready to go. I plugged in my Strat as soon as I got home, and it sounded so good that I ended up playing guitar for hours, even though I had a bunch of work I was supposed to be doing. No regrets! read more

Forgotten Gear Restorations - Musical Instrument Services Near Me

I can't say enough good things about Frank and his work. Not only does he do great work, but he is extremely knowledgeable, reasonably priced, timely, very detailed, friendly, and passionate about his work. He did some minor repairs on my Fender Super Reverb and more major work on my old 70s Fender Musicmaster Bass Amp that brought it back to life. Both amps sound amazing now, but that Musicmaster Bass Amp sounds incredible. Frank was great about communicating what needed to be done and possible upgrades throughout the job. He even sent pictures throughout of his work and explained what he was doing. He has also followed up with me to make sure I'm happy with the repairs. I'll definitely be going to Frank for all of my amp repairs in the future. Thanks, Frank!!! read more

Forgotten Gear Restorations - Happy amps that sound amazing again thanks to Frank! - Musical Instrument Services Near Me

I can't recommend Forgotten Gear Restorations enough! I brought in a 100w orange amp that ended up having a hole blown completely through the circuit board. I really didn't think there was much chance of bringing her back to life, but they somehow did it. Frank is an absolute wizard! Between the communication and the quick turnaround time, I was absolutely blown away. The pricing is also impossible to beat. I've been to many places for gear repair over the last 25 years and I can confidently say this was by far the best experience. Will not be using anybody else from now on. read more

Got my amp sounding like a new amp. Quick to respond and very helpful. His prices are in good range that I'll be coming in the future for any work on my amp. read more

Frank is awesome! We had a bit of a shaky start as he misjudged his availability, but did everything he could to accommodate me. He even delivered my amp to me when it was finished. As for the work, he made my so-so sounding Princeton Reverb Reissue sing like a Princeton should! It really sounds amazing now. I had noise and reverb issues with the amp and also didn't like the stock speaker. Something just wasn't right about the tone and while I was searching around for amps online I stumbled upon Frank's ad. I thought I'd give him a try just to see if a repair/mod would help the tone and functionality of this amp before giving up on it. We texted back and forth about what could be the issue, his speaker suggestions, and other useful info. He was thorough with his work, shared notes and kept me updated with pictures. I appreciated his transparency and not taking liberties with the amp. He always asked permission to proceed with fixes he saw that were needed. The whole thing was done quickly, and for a very good price. A really nice guy and great technician! Would recommend 100%! read more

Forgotten Gear Restorations - My '65 Princeton Reverb Reissue sounds amazing now. - Musical Instrument Services Near Me

Frank is a very trustworthy amp technician that will drop huge insights on your amp, parts needed, or modifications. He fixed up a Pro Junior I had and more recently a 1972 Traynor YBA1. Definitely a personable guy and will get you where you want with your amp. read more

Frank is the man! Went to him for a service and diagnosis on an old Rivera. Super honest guy who knows what he's talking about. Will give you detailed updates about your gear as well as helpful videos. Doesn't overcharge and quick turnaround time. Will definitely be coming back. read more

No guitar amp will be forgotten ??? That's total BS!!! I got every story in the book from Frank. One day it's a flood, next day he's out of town, then it's call me back on Tuesday, then he doesn't answer or return calls, emails or texts, then when you finally get ahold of him days later, he's busy and he has additional travel plans and wont be back for a week. A week later he refuses to answer. This ordeal was a month long ankle grabbing fest. I had 3 tube amps needing repair and ready to pay! I have no idea how his repairs are? I'm glad I desided to not deal with him! Maybe if you have a vintage Fender, Frank might actually repair it, or NOT! Frank talks a very convincing game, But I suggest you look elsewhere. Only if I could give 0 stars, I would have! ____________________________________________ *** Update 9/23/23 *** In response to Franks reply: As I said in my initial review, Frank talks a very convincing game. I had the 3 EVH 5150 Iconic amps, all with the same no sound problem. Do you remember me now? Do I need to post my call log and text history to show you're a liar? My son also has a call history, because you stopped responding to my number. When I call and text you asking when a good time I can drop off my amps, Isn't leaving you hanging! You were not waiting on me!! Obviously, You don't have time to manage your outbound communications!!! Stop trying to blow smoke up everyone's A$$ with your reply. You treated me exactly as I described. Unless you have an imposter out there? read more

I just got my beloved Engl E840 power amp repaired and I couldn't be happier!! Great customer service, very knowledgeable, fair price and fast turnaround!! I'll definitely be back for any future amp repair or service!! Definitely highly recommended. Thank you Alessandro read more

Recently, my original 1996 Hot Rod Deville went out so I was looking for someone to repair it in town. I am beyond grateful and glad to have found Frank and FGR!! He quickly diagnosed my amps problem and gave me a competitive rate to fix it and prevent possible problems for the future. Once I got it back I could clearly see he took the time to clean and patch up the amp cosmetically as well, which I really appreciated! Sure enough, the amp sounded better than the first time I bought it!! If you're in town and need a repair, don't hesitate to reach out to Frank! His detailed notes and clear communication is better than any other shop I know. I'll be bringing any gear for repair here from now on, cheers! read more

Frank took the time to meet me & pick up my custom deluxe reverb. At the time I was having trouble with my reverb and the tone was falling flat. He helped walk me through exactly what he was doing to help it and gave me tid bits of information along the way. You can tell he is very into electronics!! Was very nice and answered questions I had! Would not hesitate to bring back more gear! Thank you! read more

Let's talk about how Los Angeles is a city filled with musicians, but rarely anyone who is skilled enough to keep the equipment alive. Enter Frank and his expertise. The process was easy and quick. I called Frank and he was quick to set up a time at my convenience to check out my Dr. Z Medicine Amp. I explained that my go-to amp sounded like mush and Frank was quick to assess the problem. Literally, within 15 minutes after dropping off my amp, I get an updated text with a full explanation that my bias bypass cap detonated and he provided photos and immediately got everything sounding better than ever. Frank was thorough, quick, honest, too affordable (which is probably not even a thing nowadays), and has a wealth of knowledge. Look no further people. read more

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Frank is awesome! I was reccomended by a friend about his amp repair services. I was having issues with my Marshall JVM 205H amp. I wasn't getting any output from my clean channel. So I asked if he can check it out and right away he was eager to help me out! Right away after bringing it to him he explained every step as he checked the amp out. Eventually, he rooted out that the problem was just a faulty tube. Frank is super friendly and welcoming! His work space is clean and simple and prices are definitely reasonable! I would recommend anyone who needs amp repairs to him. It's awesome to have someone doing this here in the Buena Park/Fullerton as most amp repair spots are in LA or surrounding areas! read more

I have a 5150 II that I've owned for over 10 years and had never gotten it looked at or serviced. Searched for an amp repair specialist and found Franks page so I thought I'd give him a shot. I'm glad I did. From the first message I sent Frank he's been nothing but helpful, timely, and super knowledgeable. He addressed and looked over all of my concerns with the amp and even sent me detailed videos of exactly what he was repairing along the way. Franks customer service is top of the line and he'll do anything to make sure you're happy with the end result. You can tell he's really passionate about his craft and is genuinely a good person. I will be referring everyone I know to Frank for amp repairs. Appreciate you, Frank! read more

Forgotten Gear Restorations - Faulty tube sent by Frank - Musical Instrument Services Near Me

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Frank is a master of tube amps.I have a boutique amp by CARR that was making lots of unwanted noises. Frank was able to quickly diagnose and resolve the issues. It is as good as new, now ..... even a little better. His communication is excellent, he is a pro. I am so happy to finally have someone that I can trust with my beloved tube amps. I highly recommend Forgotten Gear Restorations! read more

Very knowledgeable and fast turnaround! Frank knew all about my boutique amp, and it sounds great now.

I have a 1976 Fender Champ guitar amplifier which needed attention. I called Frank DeSalvo at Forgotten Gear Restorations. I asked him for a complete checkup of the amp due to the amplifiers' very loud humming. I also asked him to bring the amp up to its best operating capacity with the amps stock transformers, and to check several tubes I had as spare tubes for the amp. Wow! I am a very happy customer! The problem was diagnosed by Mr. DeSalvo on Day 1 after I dropped it off. Frank was very complete in explaining to me what was wrong with my amp. He posted photos and a video of the amp after creating a website specifically for my service. After Day 2, my Champ amplifier was done being fixed and rejuvenated. Just two days! What is way cool about Forgotten Gear Restorations is that Frank sets aside time where he concentrates working on only your amp. So, one can expect great turn around time for their amp project. My Fender Champ amp sounds absolutely fantastic now, with the previous ugly humming completely gone. It has been given new life for me to enjoy my guitar playing hobby to its' utmost. And there are other pertinent qualities about Frank DeSalvo and the way he handles his business. He is a nice guy, assuredly honest, has fair pricing, and treats his customers with respect, In short, Forgotten Gear Restorations is the place to take your guitar amplifier for service. read more

Forgotten Gear Restorations - 1976 Fender VibroChamp guitar amplifier. - Musical Instrument Services Near Me

I live outside the area, but I contacted Frank because of the glowing reviews on Yelp. I brought him my vintage 1980s JC-120, and by the time I drove home, he had figured out the issue and I could hear the beautiful tones through the phone. He went ahead and gave it a thorough look through and cleaned up the pots for me. I picked it up the very next day. He is super friendly and very professional! I would absolutely do business with Frank again. Thanks! read more

Forgotten Gear Restorations - Roland Jazz Chorus 120 - Musical Instrument Services Near Me

Very knowledgeable and a great person as well. Responded to my message within minutes and walked me through some steps to help diagnose a problem with my amp. Pure class; has my business in the future for any amp related needs. read more

I contacted Frank because I had a small issue with my guitar effects pedal. Saw him the next day and was able to get everything figured out. Very nice and patient guy - definitely recommend. read more

I can't thank Frank enough. My amp (the 1964.5 Fender Tremolux photos on his page) hadn't seen the light of day in about 20 years. When I finally tried to use it, no output. It lit up, and the tubes got warm, but nothing else. It took him about 3 hours to diagnose it and get back to me with an estimate, and once I approved it, it was ready for pickup the next day. The "guts" needed a long overdo cleaning and servicing, and the rectifier and one of the capacitors needed replacing. Add in a power cord upgrade (2 - 3 pin) and she sounds great. All for a lot less than I'd expected for repairs to a nearly 60 year old amplifier. read more

Forgotten Gear Restorations - Musical Instrument Services Near Me

I have been using Frank to repair a or modify my amps for approximately 5 years and he has delivered an accurate diagnosis or modification at a good repair cost and I have always been thoroughly satisfied with his work. If your looking for someone to repair your amp I would highly recommend Frank. read more